Nikon D90

Nikon D90
Name	Nikon D90
Maker	Nikon Corporation
Type	Digital single-lens reflex camera
Sensor	23.6 × 15.8 mm CMOS
Res	4288 × 2848 (12.3 megapixels)
Lens	Nikon F-mount
Shutter	1/4000 to 30 s
Viewfinder	Optical pentaprism
Storage	SD/SDHC
Battery	EN-EL3e rechargeable lithium-ion
Weight	620 g (body only)

Nikon D90

Introduction

The D90 is a 12.3-megapixel digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Nikon Corporation, part of a lineage that includes models from the Nikon D80 era to later bodies like the Nikon D7000 and Nikon D300s. Positioned between enthusiast and professional markets, it combined traditional Nikon features with innovations seen in contemporaries such as the Canon EOS 50D and the Sony Alpha A200. The model competed in the late 2000s against offerings from Pentax, Olympus, and Panasonic while serving photographers interested in both stills and emerging multimedia workflows tied to platforms like YouTube and Vimeo.

Development and Release

Nikon unveiled the camera in 2008 amid industry shifts catalyzed by companies including Canon Inc., Sony Corporation, and Samsung Electronics that pushed sensor performance and video integration. Development drew on engineering teams experienced with the Nikon D80 and was influenced by market feedback from professional bodies such as the National Press Photographers Association and consumer trends tracked by retailers like B&H Photo Video and Adorama. The D90's release intersected with the rise of mirrorless prototypes from entities like Olympus and discussions at trade events such as Photokina and the Consumer Electronics Show.

Design and Features

The body design reflected Nikon's ergonomic lineage shared with models used by members of organizations including the Associated Press and the Reuters news agency. It used the Nikon F-mount, compatible with optics from manufacturers such as Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina. The control layout resembled professional interfaces used by staff at institutions like the BBC and The New York Times photo desks. Key features included a 3.0-inch rear LCD similar to displays on models employed by students at the New York Institute of Photography and a 11-point autofocus system comparable to modules in cameras used in assignments for entities such as National Geographic.

Image Quality and Performance

Image output quality was defined by its 12.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, delivering files suitable for editorial uses at outlets like Time, National Geographic, and The Guardian. In studio testing contexts used by faculties at institutions such as the Royal Photographic Society and the Rochester Institute of Technology, the camera showed low-light performance competitive with contemporaries from Canon Inc. and Sony Corporation, though dynamic range lagged behind full-frame models favored by staff at agencies like Agence France-Presse. Continuous shooting and buffer behavior were evaluated by reviewers at publications such as DPReview and Photography Blog and compared to sports-oriented models used by photographers at events like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Video Capabilities

The camera was notable for being among the first DSLRs to include live-recording video functionality, a feature that shifted production workflows for creators on platforms like YouTube, independent filmmakers collaborating with festivals such as Sundance Film Festival, and multimedia journalists at outlets like CNN. Video specs supported 720p HD recording, inspiring accessory ecosystems from companies such as Rode Microphones and Manfrotto for audio and stabilization. The feature influenced cinematic techniques used in short films showcased at venues like the Tribeca Film Festival and educational programs at schools such as the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts.

Accessories and Lenses

A wide range of Nikon F-mount lenses from manufacturers including Nikon Corporation, Sigma, Tamron, and Tokina were widely adopted by photographers covering assignments for organizations like Getty Images and Shutterstock. Accessories shipped or sold separately included external flashes compatible with units from SB-600-series users at wedding studios affiliated with associations like the Wedding Photojournalist Association, battery grips used by photojournalists at outlets such as Al Jazeera, and remote triggers favored by landscape shooters who exhibit at institutions such as the International Center of Photography.

Reception and Impact

Contemporary reviews from media outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, Wired, and specialist sites like DPReview praised the blend of stills capability and video introduction, noting its influence on journalists at organizations like Bloomberg and independent creators distributed via Vimeo. The camera contributed to shifts in production paradigms alongside innovations from Canon EOS 5D Mark II and hybrid devices from Panasonic Lumix series, affecting education curricula at schools such as the Rochester Institute of Technology and communities of practice around groups like the Photographers' Gallery. Its legacy persists in discussions at trade shows like Photokina and among collectors and users registered with societies including the Royal Photographic Society and the International Association of Professional Photographers.

Category:Digital single-lens reflex cameras